Eight Policemen Plead Not Guilty To Drug Consumption Charges

SUNGAI PETANI, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Eight police officers pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here today to charges of drug consumption last month.

The accused are Lance Cpls Mohammad Muizzuddin Mohamad Taib, 29; Wan Muneer Abdullah, 36; Sgt Mohd Khairi Zakaria, 55; Mohd Fazly Long, 45; (rank unspecified); Cpl Muhammad Azri Zakariya, 35; Lance Cpls G. Selva Kumar, 36; S. Sarvindran, 28; and Francis Nawan Johny, 35.

The defendants, who were charged separately, entered their pleas before Magistrates M. Kalaiarasi and Khairatul Animah Jelani.

Seven of the accused face charges of ingesting dangerous drugs, including ketamine and a type of methamphetamine (MDMA), at the Lower Room, Premis 23A, Aman Square, between 4.20 am and 7.23 am on Oct 2.

Francis Nawan is charged with ingesting methamphetamine and amphetamine at the Kuala Muda District Police Headquarters at 12.25 am on the same day.

They were charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable by a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum of two years imprisonment, upon conviction

The court granted bail of RM2,000 for each defendant, with one surety, and ordered them to report to the nearest police station on the designated dates.

Deputy public prosecutors Nur Hazwani Md Noor and S. Preeya appeared for the prosecution. The court scheduled the next case mention for Dec 3 to 12.

The seven accused were reportedly among those arrested during a recent Op Noda operation by the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department of Bukit Aman at a local entertainment centre.

Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that 12 Kedah police officers tested positive for drugs during the raid, prompting their suspension.

-- BERNAMA